clostridium

[ klo-strid-ee-uhm ]

noun,plural clos·trid·i·a [klo-strid-ee-uh]. /klɒˈstrɪd i ə/. Bacteriology.
  1. any of several rod-shaped, spore-forming, anaerobic bacteria of the genus Clostridium, found in soil and in the intestinal tract of humans and animals.

Origin of clostridium

1
1880–85; <New Latin <Greek klōstr-, variant stem of klōstḗr spindle (klōs-, variant stem of klṓthein (see Clotho) + -tēr agent suffix) + New Latin -idium-idium

Other words from clostridium

  • clos·trid·i·al, clos·trid·i·an, adjective

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British Dictionary definitions for clostridium

clostridium

/ (klɒˈstrɪdɪəm) /


nounplural -iums or -ia (-ɪə)
  1. any anaerobic typically rod-shaped bacterium of the genus Clostridium, occurring mainly in soil, but also in the intestines of humans and animals: family Bacillaceae . The genus includes the species causing botulism and tetanus

Origin of clostridium

1
C20: from New Latin, literally: small spindle, from Greek klōstēr spindle, from klōthein to spin; see -ium

Derived forms of clostridium

  • clostridial or clostridian, adjective

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